Voting mechanism



Dec. 28, 1965 D. J. BYRNES, JR 3,226,019

VOTING MEGHANISM Filed oct. 11, 1965 v 2 sheets-sheet 1 0A V/D J.BVR/VES JR. INVENTOR Mwyj/Qwf TTORNEVS Dec. 28, 1965 D. J. BYRNES, JR3,226,019

VOTING MECHANISM Filed OCT.. ll 1963 2 Sheets-Sheei'l 2 DAV/b J.BVR/ves, JR. /NVENTOR MMM fm United States Patent O 3,226,019 VOTNGMECHANISM David J. Byrnes, Jr., 2649 W. Iris, Visalia, Calif. Filed(let. 11, 1963, Ser. No. 315,653 Claims. (Cl. 23S- 50) The presentinvention relates to a voting mechanism of simple, mechanicalconstruction which utilizes voter balrlots of the data processing punchcard type and is thus able to att-ain the counting advantages ofmechanical or electronic `data processing equipment.

At the present time, printed sheet type ballots are customarily used inelections. Such ballots require manu-al marking by the voter through theuse of a rubber stamp and ink pad. This procedure is slow, untidy andfrequently results in an objectionable number of voided ball-ots by thevoters inadvertent duplicate or other irnp'roper marking. Further-more,the -ballot sheets must be folded upon completion by the voter in orderto be received through the slot in conventional ballot boxes. Suchvoting procedures necessitate .a large labor force physically to handle,unfold and tediously count the ballots. Such counting is a protractedtask which, in manyv precincts, takes several days to complete anddelays the results correspondingly. Such ballots also create a storageproblem by their voluminous bulk and present an aggravated handlingproblem when voting recounts are necessary. Furthermore, the list ofcandidates, referendum measures, propositions and the like is frequentlyof such length that it cannot be included on a single ballot sheet,thereby requiring several sheets to constitute a single ballot. Themultiplicity of sheets is confusing and inconvenient for the voters toh-andle and compounds the problem of manual marking, folding andsubsequent counting.

Many of t-he problems of the above described voting procedures have beensolved by the use of electrically operated voting mechanisms. However,such mechanisms have not met with widespread acceptance even thoughproviding generally successful operation inasmuch as their initial costis high and they are expensive and troublesome to maintain.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved voting mechanism which is capable of greatly acceler-a-tedvoting procedures with a minimum of expense.

Another object is to provide a voting mechanism which substantiallyeliminates mismarking and miscounting of election ballots.

Another object is to provide a voting mechanism which insures againstballot alterations after completion by the voter.

Another object is to provide a voting mechanism which is adapted to liteasily into existing voting booths.

Another object is to provide a voting mechanism of simple mechanicalconstruction requiring a minimum of attention and maintenance.

Another object is to provide a voting mechanism which is adapted toutilize election ballots which can be automatically counted.

Another object is to provide a voting mechanism utilizing ballots whichmaybe stored easily within a minimum of space and be quickly retrieve-dfor fast recounts.

Another object is to provide a voting mechanism which is capable ofaccommodating ballots of the data processing punch card type.

Another object is to provide la voting mechanism, the operation of whichlis easily understood with a minimum of instruction to the voter.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become morefully apparent upon reference to the following description in thespecification.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan View of the voting mechanism of the presentinvention having a vote selecting device shown in one position ofselection with other alternate positions shown in dashed lines.

FIG. 2 is a transverse horizontal section through the voting mechanismtaken on line 2 2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section through the ballot cardpunching mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective of the voting mechanism of the presentinvention showing master and voter punch card ballots removed from theiroperative positions on the voting mechanism.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a voting mechanismembodying the principles of the present invention provides asubstantially at rectangular backboard or table 10 of lightweightsubstantially rigid material such as aluminum, plywood, liberboard orthe like. The table has a pair of opposite marginal sides 11 andpredetermined upper and lower marginal sides 12 and 14, respectively.The table further includes an upper substantially flat surface 15 whichhas a substantially rectangular recess 17 formed therein adjacent to thelower right corner of the t-able, as viewed in FIG. l. A plurality ofrows of bores or depressions 18 are formed in the table within therecessed portion 17 thereof in a generally rectangular pattern ofreference locations.

A substantially rectangular matrix 20 is rigidly mounted on the uppersurface 15 of the table adjacent to the lower left hand corner of thetable, as viewed in FIG. 1. An intermediate slot 21 is formed in thematrix in spaced substantially parallel relation to the upper surface 15of the table. The slot is arranged so that the matrix opens toward thelower side 14 of t-he table and includes a thumb notch 22 therein. Thematrix further provides a plurality of rows of substantially rectangularregistration or apertures 24 which extend through the upper surfacethereof in communication with the slot 21. The apertures 'are arrangedin a substantially rectangular pattern in corresponding relation to therows of depressions 18 in the recessed portion of the table at apredetermined reduced ratio. As best shown in FIG. 3, the aperturesprovide an upper tapered vportion 26 and extend through the lowerpor-tion of the matrix for communication with enlarged collect-ing holes27 through the table 10.

A pant-ographic device, generally indicated by the reference numeral 30,is lmanipulatable for relative sliding movement upon the upper surface15 of the table. The pantographic device provides a selection portion 32and an opposite registering portion 34. The pantographic device alsoincludes an elongated support link 35 which has a lower end 36 and anopposite upper end 37. The lower end of the support link is pivotallymounted on the elevated end of a pedestal 40 rigidly secured to theupper surface of the table between the matrix and the ad-v jacent side11 of the table. An elongated selector link `45 has an inner end 46pivotally connected to the upper end 36 of the support link and anextended end 47. An intermediate control link 50 is extended in spacedsubstantially parallel relation to the support link 35 and has an upperend 52 pivotally connected in spaced adjacent relation to the inner end54 which vis pivotally connected to an end 56 of a tie link 57. The tielink includes an opposite end 58 which is pivotally connected to Vthesupport link 35 in spaced adjacent relation to its lower end 36. Thelinks 35, 45, 50 and 57 thereby provide a parallelogram lever system sothat planar movement in any direction of the selecting portion 32 isprecisely transmitted to the registering portion 34 at a predeterminedreduced ratio.

A glide leg 60 is rigidly mounted on the support link 35 intermediateits ends in depending relation for slidable engagement with the uppersurface of the table 10. A selector linger 62 is mounted on the extendedend 47 of the selector link 45 in depending relation therefrom andprovides a spherical end 63 readily receivable within the circulardepressions 18 in the recessed portion 17 of the table 10." A handleportion 65 is upwardly extended from the selector finger 62 forconvenient manipulation of the selector iinger about the recessedportion 17 of the table. Further, the selector linger 62 and the glideleg 60 maintain the links of the pantographic device in elevatedsubstantially parallel relation to the upper surface 15 of the table.

A punch mechanism 70 is disposed at the pivotal con'- nection 'betweenthe control link 50 and the tie link 57. As best shown in FIG. 3, thepunch provides a body member 72 having a lower reduced diameter bearingportion 73 extended through the ends of the control link and the tielink. An extended screw threaded end 74 receives a lock nut 75 tomaintain such connection. The body 72 also has an elongated concentricbore 77 therethrough which includes a lower counterbored portion 78communicated with the apertures 24 and the matrix. A plunger 80 isslidably mounted within the bore and has a lower end 82 which mounts acard perforating blade 84. A circular dome-shaped press pad 86 ismounted on the upper end of the punch and provides a shoulder 87 toconstrain a compression spring 88 about the plunger and between thepress pad and the top of the body 72.

As best shown in FIG. 4, a master ballot 90 is adapted to be positionedand confined within the recessed portion 17 of the table 10. The masterballot includes a plurality of rows of aligned apertures 92 which aredisposed in precise registry with the circular depressions 18 in saidrecessed portion 17 of the table. ABetween each row of apertures andadjacent the individual apertures is provided a name space 93 withinwhich is printed the particular candidate, proposition or the like forselection by the voter. A ballot card 95 of the data processingpunchcard type is adapted to be received within the slot 21 of thematrix. The ballot card is a duplicate of the master ballot inminiature. It is readily apparent that from the above description theselector finger 62 can be positioned throughout the recessed portion 17of the table for disposal in any of the circular depressions thereof.Also, with such movement, the punch 70 is automatically similarlydisposed in corresponding positions on the matrix 20.

Operation v The operation of the described embodiment of the subjectinvention is believed to be clearly apparent and is brieily summarizedat this point. Prior to an election, precincts are furnished withseveral master ballots 90 and a supply of blank voter ballot cards 95.If additional master ballots are required, they can be fastened togetherin book formso that when one ballot is cornplete the master ballot canbe flipped out of the recess 17 in the table 10 before continuing thevoting. Such master ballots can be of various colors and be providedwith correspondingly colored voter ballot cards.

Upon entering a voting booth, the voter places a ballot card 95 into theslot 21 of the matrix 20. After studying the master ballot, the votercan move the selector nger 62 to the desired aperture 92 in the masterballot adjacent to the candidate or issue for which the voter wishes tovote. Upon such selection, the spherical end 63 of the selector fingerextends through the aperture 92 in the master ballot and into thecircular depression 18 in the recess 17 of the table 10. Suchmanipulation causes the links 34, 45,- 50 and 57 of the pantographicdevice 30 to swing the punch 70 over an aperture 24 in thematrixcorrespondingV precisely to the position of the selector finger 62on the master ballot. The voter then exerts a downward pressure on thepress pad 86 of the punch against the spring 88 to cause the punchingblade 84 to penetrate the ballot card 95. The punched portion of thecard gravitates downwardly through and is received in the collectinghole 27 in the table. The remaining candidates or issues are selected inan identical manner.

For write-in candidates, the voter registers the selector finger 62 witha specifically indicated aperture provided for such purpose on themaster ballot and actuates the punch 70 to indicate such selection onthe ballot card 95. Upon completing the ballot, the voter removes thepunched card, records any write-in Votes on the back thereof, andinserts it into the ballot box. After the precinct is closed, all theballot cards are usually taken to a `central counting hall where theballot cards are quickly tabulated by an electronic punch cardprocessing machine which automatically sorts the write-in ballot cardsfor manual counting.

In view of the foregoing, it is readily apparent that the structure ofthe present invention provides an irnproved voting machine capable ofgreatly accelerating election procedures. By utilizing punch cards asballots, a larger number of candidates and issues can be included on asingle ballot card than is conveniently possible on conventionalsheet-type ballots. The possibility of error is virtually eliminated bythe pantograph and matrix mechanism which precisely registers the votersselection from the master ballot on the punch card ballot. Aftercompletion by the voter, the ballot card is inalterable. The ballotcards can be stored in a minimum of space and be easily retrieved forrecounting and the like.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what isconceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it isrecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of theinvention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed hereinbut is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace anyand all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. A voting mechanism comprising a support member having a master ballotconstraining `portion providing a plurality of reference locationsthereon, a pantographic device having a register end connected in spacedrelation to said master ballot constraining portion for relative planarmovement and an extended selector end disposed above said master ballotconstraining portion of the support member for selective alignment withsaid reference locations thereon, `ballot card holdingrmeans having aplurality of registrations corresponding to said reference locations `onthe master ballot constraining portion of the support member and beingrigidly mounted on the support member beneath said register end of thepantographic device in predetermined spaced relation to said masterballot constraining portion of the support member, and vote registeringmeans mounted on the pantographic device `above said ballot card holdingmeans for align-y ment with the registration therein corresponding tothe reference location on the master ballot constraining portion of thesupport member which is aligned with said selector end of thepantographic device.

2. A voting mechanism comprising a support member having a master ballotconstraining portion providing a plurality of reference locationsthereon, a pantographic device having a register end and an extendedselector end, means pivotally connected to said pantographic de-` viceadjacent to said register end mounting the pantographic devicein spacedelevated position on said sup. port member for relative planar movementwith said selector end thereof disposed above said master ballotconstraining portion of the support member for align ment with aselected one of said reference locations thereon, ballot card holdingvmeans having a plurality of registrations corresponding to saidreference locations on the master ballot constraining portion of thesupport member and being rigidly mounted on the support member beneathsaid register end portion of the pantographic4 device in predeterminedspaced relation to said master ballot constraining portion of thesupport member, and selected vote indicating means mounted on theregister end of the pantographic device above said ballot card holdingmeans for alignment With the registration on the ballot card holdingmeans corresponding to said selected one of said reference locations onthe master ballot constraining portion of the support member which isaligned with said selector end of the pant-ographic devi.

3. A voting mechanism comprising a table having a master ballotconstraining portion providing a plurality of equally spaced referencelocations thereon, a pantographic device having a register end and anextended selector end, means pivotally connected to said pantographicdevice adjacent to said register end portion mounting the pantographicdevice in spaced elevated position on said table for relative planarmovement With said selector end thereof disposed above said masterballot constraining portion of the table for selective alignment withsaid reference locations thereon, ballot card holding means having aplurality of equally spaced registrations corresponding to saidreference locations on the master ballot constraining portion of thetable and being rigidly mounted on the table beneath said register endof the pantographic device in predetermined spaced relation to saidmaster ballot constraining portion of the table, and punch means mountedon the pantographic device above said ballot card holding means foralignment with the registration therein corresponding to the referencelocation on said master ballot constraining portion of the table whichis aligned with said selector end of the pantographic device.

4. A voting mechanism comprising a table having a recessed master ballotconstraining portion providing a plurality of circular depressionstherein; a pantographic device having a register end and an extendedselector end; means pivotally connected to said register end mountingthe pantographic device in spaced elevated position on the table Withsaid extended selector end thereof being disposed above said recessedmaster ballot constraining portion of the table; selection means on theselector end of the pantographic device releasably receivable in thedepressions of the master ballot constraining portion of the table; aballot card holding member mounted on the table beneath said registerend of said pantographic device in predetermined spaced relation to saidrecessed master ballot constraining portion of the table, said ballotcard holding member having a plurality of apertures thereincorresponding relation to the circular depressions of the recessedmaster ballot constraining portion of the table; and punch means mountedon the pantographic device adjacent to said register end thereof andabove said ballot card holding member with said punch being registrablewith said apertures in the ballot card holding member in correspondingrelation to the positioning of the selector means in said depressions inthe recessed master ballot constraining portion of the table.

5. A voting mechanism comprising a table having a substantially at uppersurface providing a substantially rectangular recessed portion thereinincluding a plurality of rows of circular bores arranged in asubstantially rectangular pattern in the recessed portion; a masterballot providing rows of apertures therethrough adapted to be receivedwithin said recessed portion of the table with its apertures in registerwith said bores in the table; a pedestal rigidly mounted on and extendedfrom the upper surface of the table in spaced relation to said recessedportion thereof; a pantographic device having a plurality of linkspivotally interconnected in parallelogram arrangement providing aregister end pivotally connected to the pedestal in spaced substantiallyparallel relation to the upper surface of the table and an extendedselector end; a selector linger mounted on said selector end of thepantographic device in depending relation therefrom and having aspherical end receivable within said bores in the table and an oppositehandle end for manual planar motivation of the links universally toposition the selector iinger throughout said recessed portion of thetable; a substantially rectangular matrix mounted on said upper surfaceof the table in predetermined spaced relation to said recessed portionof the table and beneath said register end of the pantographic device,said matrix having an intermediate slot disposed in spaced substantiallyparallel relation to the upper surface of the table, said matrixincluding a plurality of rows of rectangular apertures in communicationwith said slot and arranged in a substantially rectangular pattern incorresponding relation to the arrangement of said circular bores in therecessed portion of the table at a predetermined reduced ratio; a ballotcard adapted to be received within said intermediate slot of the matrix;and a punch mounted on the pantographic device at its register end inoverlying relation to said matrix having an extensible substantiallyrectangular punching blade receivable through said apertures of thematrix and being manually manipulatable to punch said ballot card Withinthe slot of the matrix corresponding to the placement of said selectorof the pantographic device on the master ballot Within the recessedportion of the table.

References Cited by the Examiner UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,081,314 12/1913Legg 235--50 1,487,493 3/ 1925 Tolman 235-50 1,923,208 8/1933 Howey33-25 FOREIGN PATENTS 744,302 4/ 1933 France.

LEO SMILOW, Primary Examiner.

1. A VOTING MECHANISM COMPRISING A SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING A MASTER BALLOTCONSTRAINING PORTION PROVIDING A PLURALITY OF REFERENCE LOCATIONSTHEREON, A PANTOGRAPHIC DEVICE HAVING A REGISTER END CONNECTED IN SAPCEDRELATION TO SAID MASTER BALLOT CONSTRAINING PORTION FOR RELATIVE PLANARMOVEMENT AND AN EXTENDED SELECTOR END DISPOSED ABOVE SAID MASTER BALLOTCONSTRAINING PORTION OF THE SUPPORT MEMBER FOR SELECTIVE ALIGNMENT WITHSAID REFERENCE LOCATIONS THEREON, BALLOT CARD HOLDING MEANS HAVING APLURALITY OF REGISTRATIONS CORRESPONDING TO SAID REFERENCE LOCATIONS ONTHE MASTER BALLOT CONSTRAINING PORTION OF THE SUPPORT MEMBER AND BEINGRIGIDLY MOUNTED ON THE SUPPORT MEMBER BENEATH SAID REGISTER END OF THEPANTOGRAPHIC DEVICE IN PREDETERMINED SPACED RELATION TO SAID MASTERBALLOT CONSTRAINING PORTION OF THE SUPPORT MEMBER, AND VOTE REGISTERINGMEANS MOUNTED ON THE PANTOGRAPHIC DEVICE ABOVE SAID BALLOT CARD HOLDINGMEANS FOR ALIGNMENT WITH THE REGISTRATION THEREIN CORRESPONDING TO THEREFERENCE LOCATION ON THE MASTER BALLOT CONSTRAINING PORTION OF THESUPPORT MEMBER WHICH IS ALIGNED WITH SAID SELECTOR END OF THEPANTOGRAPHIC DEVICE.